TL: I get asked this a lot and I never really know what to say. I just talk about my life and thoughts I’ve had that make me laugh.

CB: Which comedians influence your comedy?

TL: I’ve always been into American stand ups like Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Bill Hicks. My favourite at the moment is Bill Burr. And I’ve always admired Lee Evans as well for his work ethic and his whole attitude towards comedy.

CB: Did you always want to go into comedy?

TL: Yeah pretty much, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a comedian.

CB: How do you go about writing your material?

TL: It’s all just notes. I make a lot of notes on my phone or scraps of paper. And then I go to a lot of new material nights in London and I try to make routines out of the notes.

CB: Do you gig as a comedy performer full time or is it more of a part-time hobby? If so, do you find that your main job influences your material?

TL: I’ve been doing it full time for about six months now. I was at Bristol University for one term and then I realised I could make enough money from stand up to do it full time so I immediately left and I became a professional comedian at 18 which is ridiculous.

CB: What do you find the most enjoyable and frustrating parts of the comedy circuit?

TL: I love performing and making a big audience laugh is an unbelievable feeling and you get a real buzz from it. The only downside really is that you have to work really hard when you’re starting out. It’s as much about hard work and dedication as it is about talent I think.

CB: What’s your favourite type of audience to perform to?

TL: The only thing that matters is that they’re up for it. It doesn’t matter how many people there are or how the room is set up, if the audience want to laugh and want to have a good time, it’s usually good.

CB: Have you been heckled a lot since you’ve started gigging? Do you enjoy being heckled? What’s the best heckle you’ve had?

TL: I’ve never been heckled really badly, I think because I started very young and I’m still young so perhaps people feel different about heckling what is effectively a child. I’ve had a lot of loud audiences who shout things out and that’s kind of fun because spontaneous things occur and that can often be the best thing in a show. Audiences laugh more at things you say in the moment – they like to see a comedian think on their feet and still be funny.

CB: What advice would you give to new acts thinking of starting out in comedy?

TL: I’m still very young myself so I feel a little weird giving advice but if you want to do it, then just do it. It is scary but it gets easier.

Interview with Dan Smith and Charlie Mizon from sketch group Best Boy.

CB: How long have you been gigging in comedy?

BB: We’ve been gigging since September last year, but writing together for about 3 years; for another sketch group we were part of and collaborating on sketches and one liners for BBC radio.

CB: How would you describe your comedy?

BB: Plain good fun. We like a bit of variety, so sometimes we’ll go quite dark and others we’ll just be making lots of puns. It’s all quite stripped back, no flamboyant showmanship – this was mainly a conscious decision to make it easier to do short gigs and shows that don’t require much tech or carting around a big bag of props and costumes. Instead we like to think we rely a lot on scripting and language more than the visuals.

CB: Which comedians influence your comedy?

BB: Many and more. Lots of other contemporary sketch acts like Max and Ivan and The Pin, to classics like Peter Cook and Dudley Moore and the League of Gentlemen.

CB: Did you always want to go into comedy?

BB: Not necessarily comedy, but we met at our university’s drama society so there’s always been a craving for the attention of others. Comedy seemed the next natural step when we realised we were so narcissistic that we wanted to be performing our own material.

CB: How do you go about writing your material?

BB: We come up with a premise then we build the rest around that; usually this will be the punchline so we’ll start there and work backwards. Once we get that initial structure in place we write the dialogue. This usually consists of Dan sitting at a computer and typing, while Charlie paces around the room. Then we throw lines at each other and constantly read the script back, changing individual words or phrases. Where the initial ideas for our sketches come from is anybody’s guess though – they’re just out there in the ether and every now and then we’ll happen upon one, which is why it’s essential to note down every idea, no matter how bizarre or terrible it seems when we read them back a few days later.

CB: Do you gig as a comedy performer full time or is it more of a part-time hobby? If so, do you find that your main job influences your material?

BB: Right now it’s a part-time thing, mainly because we’re both fans of being able to afford to eat. Charlie works in medical research and Dan works in TV news. As of yet we seem to have kept these aspects of our life totally separate from the comedy, but we’ve definitely got ambitions to try our hand at writing longer form material and as everyone says you should write about what you know, our jobs could provide plenty of material.

CB: What do you find the most enjoyable and frustrating parts of the comedy circuit?

BB: The most enjoyable is being on a great bill and getting a big reaction; a giant laugh from a room full of people is great. Meeting other brilliant acts in the process is a bonus. The most frustrating thing is our perception that there are fewer opportunities for sketch acts – so we do a lot of stand up nights and freak out the audience when they see there’s two of us on stage.

CB: What’s your favourite type of audience to perform to?

BB: The ones we get on board quickly – we do a lot of audience interaction and participation sketches and this is great fun when the audience has warmed to us. We also appreciate performing to people who have never seen us before and have no idea what to expect, that way you get a really honest reaction – and hopefully some kind of feedback after the show.

CB: Have you been heckled a lot since you’ve started gigging? Do you enjoy being heckled? What’s the best heckle you’ve had?

BB: We haven’t really had much in the way of heckles, it’s probably because there’s something more theatrical with a sketch act so people don’t feel as inclined to interrupt. But we do enjoy them when we get them. Some highlights include a man setting off a party popper after a punchline, the friend of a woman we’d got up on stage to play a knight shouting ‘kick him in the balls, Sharon’ and another man who just refused to come up on stage to play the part of Dan’s girlfriend in a film noir parody. He just sat there and said ‘no’. Eventually we charmed him enough that he got up, but it was touch and go for a while.

CB: What advice would you give to new acts thinking of starting out in comedy?

BB: Firstly, we would pass on the advice we were given which is ‘gig, gig, gig.’ Secondly, write comedy that you think is funny, don’t write stuff that you think others will laugh at – and never lose faith because of one negative comment, for everyone person out there who doesn’t like your stuff, there will be plenty more who think you are the best thing since sliced bread.

AS: I was escorted rather forcefully by my elbow to my first gig on the 16th of November 2010. I didn’t want to go. Why would I? I wore a brown suit, black dress zip boots, the kind Elvis wore in the rehearsal sequences in ‘That’s the way it is.’ and a green T-shirt. I wasn’t sure I enjoyed myself. I didn’t enjoy myself. Be careful what you wish for.

CB: How would you describe your comedy?

AS: Every time I find something it’s usually not what I was looking for. Either you’re trying in vain to paint yourself into a corner, or you’re looking down into the well. It’s never what you think it is. Years ago a girlfriend of mine shouted across a room in desperation “For God’s sake, why don’t you just join in!” I knew what she meant. I’m trying to move around more on stage. Be more animated. “Why didn’t you smile?” My partner says to me after my gig. “I thought I was.” I always say.

CB: Which comedians influence your comedy?

AS: I urge you to watch ‘An audience with Kenneth Williams.’ LWT 1983 I think it is. Quite brilliant. The early incarnation of Frank Spencer. I once spent many months salving a bruised spirit with a four cassette collection of Max Miller. Other influences would be Quentin Crisp, Liza with a ‘z’, Elvis, Chuck Berry ( Who I actually met ) Doris Stokes and Bob Dylan. The last one was a joke! Incidentally I also spent a long period of going to bed with a double cassette of ‘On The Road’ read by the late David Carradine. I used to enjoy a cup of tea and an audio tape. I’ve calmed down now. You can’t sustain that kind of lifestyle forever.

CB: Did you always want to go into comedy?

AS: I think I have searched out a spotlight my entire life, in one way or another. I don’t know what pull us into it. The ‘why’ I suppose is really of little interest. I’m quite practical now and I’ve learned to think less. I’ve always dreamt of doing it. So I’m doing it. Every night I don’t want to leave the house. Yet I always go out. I quit every day, and gig every night.

CB: How do you go about writing your material?

AS: I write every day. Allow it to unfold. Be there. Write something. Anything. That’s all you can do.

CB: Do you gig as a comedy performer full time or is it more of a part-time hobby?

AS: If so, do you find that your main job influences your material? I’m out of the house as much as I can. Six nights a week is usual. I always try to have one night in where I climb under a sheet on the sofa with my partner and watch something about Myra Hindley or the One Show. I am paid to gig now on a regular basis, but I couldn’t, if asked this very minute just nip out and purchase, for example satin trousers with the money I’ve made this month in Comedy. I once wore linen trousers to a barbeque. Within about ten minutes the trousers smelt like pork. Even when I wasn’t near the pork.

CB: What do you find the most enjoyable and frustrating parts of the comedy circuit?

AS: I love the discipline of leaving the house. Waking up and writing with coffee. If I don’t have a routine of sorts I’ll just whirl around in the centre of the living room. I have a friend who tells me when he’s alone he’ll walk around the house like a dinosaur. He needs a routine. I need to be weighted down or I’ll spin off. I love the solitude of it. Virginia Wolf said. ‘ ..Human beings do not go hand in hand the whole stretch of the way. There is a virgin forest in each; a snowfield where even the print of birds’ feet is unknown, here we go alone and like it better.’ I love that! I adore it when my Hilary comes to watch. Then we can go for an Indian before the gig. She likes vegetable Dansak. “Would you like any Poppadom ?” – “Yes please, One each.” I don’t find anything frustrating. If I don’t like something I simply avoid it. The end. My granddad used to say “End of chat!”

CB: What’s your favourite type of audience to perform to?

AS: I often forget, but I really do think you have to talk to the audience and share something. Absorbing the mood from them. Somehow feeling what it is on that particular night. Adapting the way in which you might move or the energy with which you speak. And often you get it totally wrong and it falls apart. You really have to be alive only then, and for them. It’s people in a room. Of course if you’re opening and they are all eating ham sandwiches, then you’re fucked.

CB: Have you been heckled a lot since you’ve started gigging? Do you enjoy being heckled? What’s the best heckle you’ve had?

AS: I shall never forget a barely audible ‘Oh dear’ during a pause in what was already an unbearable Opening twenty in a very busy room. I lashed out the next day at a weekend girl in my local co-op.

CB: What advice would you give to new acts thinking of starting out in comedy?

AS: I’ll let the words of the divine David Hoyle sum it up for me. “Who here hasn’t worn a broach, which was sapphires ruby’s and emerald’s, welded to the back of a cockroach. I think we all have.

LL: I have been gigging in comedy as a professional now since 2006 and have to say its’s been a throughly enjoyable experience. It really is a fantastic job and a pleasure to bring so much joy to people

CB: How would you describe your comedy?

LL: I would describe my comedy as very contemporary. It’s ultimately is a combination of satire, social commentary, story selling, and animation! my stand covers a wide range of topics!

CB: Which comedians influence your comedy?

LL: The comedians that influence my comedy I have to say are legendary Comedians such as Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Chris Rock, Bill Hicks, Richard Pryor, and Gene wilder. All these great comedy icons have made such a brilliant contribution to the artform!

CB: Did you always want to go into comedy?

LL: Yes even from an early age I was always destined to become a comedian! Just ask my dad! lol

CB: How do you go about writing your material?

LL: My writing is often born out of my life experiences positive and negative. Comedy is all around us so I often write from the perspective of my feelings and opinions about what I often encounter, that’s usually my first point of call.

CB: Do you gig as a comedy performer full time or is it more of a part-time hobby? If so, do you find that your main job influences your material?

LL: Comedy is a full time job for me whether it be me performing live on stage or at home creating ideas for material. My main influences for my material would have to be popular culture and satire.

CB: What do you find the most enjoyable and frustrating parts of the comedy circuit?

LL: The most enjoyable thing about the comedy circuit is definitely the vibrancy and it’s popularity it has such a diverse amount of comedians that convey so many different personas! I have so many comedy buddies and its always such a pleasure to work and travel with them. The frustrating aspect of the comedy circuit are the politics. some comics don’t always get what we deserve in this industry which is unfortunate.

CB: What’s your favourite type of audience to perform to?

LL: I love audiences that are diverse where everyone is well represented albeit through their sex, race, class, and age. As my comedy style is very universal.

CB: Have you been heckled a lot since you’ve started gigging? Do you enjoy being heckled? What’s the best heckle you’ve had?

LL: I don’t usually get heckled that much but i strangely enjoy it on the odd ocassion it does happen! Sometimes being instinctive and having to deal with a heckler really improves your comic skill. Seeing a comedian deal with a heckler live on stage successfully is always a pleasure to see! a heckler once shouted out to me “Oh look there’s Freddie Jackson!” who apparently is a 1980s American soul singer!

CB: What advice would you give to new acts thinking of starting out in comedy?

LL: Just be passionate about it and work hard on your craft then it can be very satisfying and rewarding.

Stand-up, in itself, is a tough art. As an act, making audiences laugh every time you perform along with constantly developing your material adds even more to the challenge.

However, when a comedian discovers their voice and understands what it is they are passionate about discussing – it is a very special moment for both them and audiences.

Andrew Ryan has been gigging since 2008. Having tried 16 different jobs previously ranging from being a private investigator to a petrol pump attendant, barman and waiter, finance manager, delivery driver, call centre worker and many more, the skill of naturally being someone that can make you laugh makes the job of a stand-up comedian seem the perfect fit.

Andrew now performs all around the world and headlines at some of the best comedy clubs in the UK. Andrew has also performed stand-up on shows such as Russell Howard’s Good News, Comedy Central’s Live at the Comedy Store and often presents for Talk Sport where his interview of Chelsea fans has gained over a million views on YouTube.

Andrew has taken several shows to the Edinburgh Fringe however his new show, Perfectly Inadequate, showcases the change you can see in a comedian after so many years of learning and performing around the circuit. The show combines Andrew’s experiences socially, professionally and romantically along with his realisation of the inadequacies that have often made these a struggle but they’re full of humour and some brilliant stories.

For anyone that is looking to laugh, and I mean really laugh, then do not hesitate to see Andrew perform whether it’s in a comedy club near you or at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Discovering new talent is one of the most exciting parts of the Edinburgh Fringe. Some of the most loved comedians in the UK and around the world, such as Steve Coogan, Harry Hill, Sarah Millican and many more, started their careers by taking shows to the Edinburgh Festival.

Sarah Callaghan is a truly special talent. Elephant, Callaghan’s debut hour, is a show all about ambition rooted in the stresses and insecurities of peers and society that can often hold one back from fulfilling their potential. In particular, Callaghan shares the frustrations she has in her personal life along with those she has with people who conform to what is supposedly expected of them, even if they are capable of so much more.

Callaghan’s comedy is fresh, raw and honest with a sensitive vulnerability that lies at the heart of her humour and an outstanding passion committed to every line and moment of laughter – it’s full of attitude and is hugely funny.

Having recently made her debut on E4’s Virtually Famous (the youngest female stand-up comedian to be featured on a panel show in the UK!), Callaghan invited audiences to have a tiny taste of what she is all about. But if you really want to know why Callaghan is one of the most original and unique comedians in the UK then a ticket to see her show in Edinburgh is a great place to start.

American comedy heavyweight, Dave Chappelle, has announced he is coming to London to perform his first ever full show in the UK. Chappelle will be performing at Eventim Apollo Hammersmith. Chappelle last performed ten minutes of stand-up in London seven years ago but recently Chappelle made a surprise return to stand-up and has since been touring America. His unpredictable and edgy style has won him enormous plaudits all over the world, including huge respect from Jay Z and Chris Rock.

Stand-up comedian, screenwriter, actor, TV and film producer Dave Chappelle is widely celebrated for his Comedy Central sketch series Chappelle’s Show, which was co-written with Neal Brennan. Having also featured in films such as You’ve Got Mail, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Nutty Professor, Con Air and Half Baked, Chapelle is a well-known face on screens internationally. Esquire have described Chappelle as “The comic genius of America” and he was named as one of Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time”.

The show is massive news for Chapelle’s UK fans, who will be extremely excited to see him back in London.

Deer Shed Festival have programmed an impressive line-up of comedy and theatre, which includes Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize winners Funz and Gamez, one of the best sketch groups in the UK Pappy’s, beatboxing sensation Shlomo and entertaining comedy-cabaret troupe Slightly Fat Features amongst many other shows.

The team behind Deer Shed Festival are committed to presenting family-friendly, PG art and comedy shows. Their full line-up balances shows suitable for kids, along with other shows not solely being aimed at a younger audience.

In January 2015, Deer Shed Festival received a Gold Award fromFestival Kidz; a group of seasoned festival families dedicated to recognising those festivals who cater best for kids and families. The Gold Award is their highest accolade, requiring either exceptional or good in all categories.

Sunderland City Council have sponsored the Deer Shed Festival Workshop Tents, promoting family adventure, discovery and activity in their ‘See It Do It Sunderland’ workshops. With their ‘See It Do It Sunderland’ campaign they want to promote family adventure, discovery and activity, which is what the festival workshops are all about.

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. More Information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.